I recently made the trip to Las Vegas for the first time in my life, and while I've been expecting the trip for several months, we ended up doing things on a whim. That's because I wasn't sure if we would be coordinating with family or doing things on our own.
It ended up being the latter, and even though things were planned at the last minute, we still were able to enjoy some pretty memorable experiences. And knowing me, we couldn't possibly go anywhere without enjoying some great food. Here are some of my favorites.
1. In-N-Out
I don't know if this would be memorable if it weren't the first time that I was experiencing In-N-Out. I appreciate that even though we arrived around midnight Vegas time, mentally it was 9 PM for us, so we were awake and prepared to explore. But first thing was that I was hungry, and In-N-Out was on on my list of things that I wanted to try because we don't have them in Florida.
I love the old fashioned diner feel. I ended up getting animal style burgers and fries, but I honestly would've been content with classic fries. I don't like how soggy my fries got, and they were skinny little things, so I don't think they were as enjoyable. Now I know for next time, but I will say that they were an enjoyable late night bite for us. It definitely gave us the energy to wander around the Strip after.
Address: 5693 S Jones Blvd #106, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Phone: (702) 220-9224
So this was something I picked on the morning of, and while we had to wait for 30 minutes for a table for 2, I would say that the wait is worth it if you're looking for a filling breakfast with friendly service.
I had my first ever chicken fried steak here (because chicken and waffles were not on the menu, and that's my go to), so I don't know how to judge chicken fried steak, but I thought it was very good. If I had to describe it, I would say that it is like if you took a Salisbury steak and you battered it the way you would fried chicken, and then top it off with sausage gravy. It satisfied all my savory desires for breakfast, and the waitress mentioned that it is the best selling item on the menu. She was even kind enough to give us a free cinnamon roll for being willing to switch tables for her, and I thought that it was the fluffiest cinnamon roll that I had ever had. Maybe because it was free.
Address: 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 740-6969
We saw this place walking through the New York, New York Hotel and decided that it would be our lunch. I would give it five stars, because I had such a great experience with it. The branding is very aesthetically pleasing, and it was nice to be able to get a table where I could watch people wander buy.
And then there was the food. I was going to get the Paccheri Alla Vodka, but then my boyfriend said he was getting it, so I chose something else because I knew that he would let me taste his anyway. When I tasted his, I regretted not getting my own order of freshly made deliciousness. The flavor of the sauce combined with the freshness of the pasta just melted in my mouth. However, I have to say that the Brasato Al Vino Rosso reminded me of a dish that I had during my time in France, so I enjoyed my food in a different way.
4. Cañonita
Address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (Located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas)
Phone: (702) 414-3773
We tried this place on a whim after we watched a Cirque Du Soleil, and we didn't need a reservation to get seated right away. I remembered seeing it as we walked through The Venetian hotel, and I thought it was situated in a unique place. The Venetian has gondola rides offered, and Cañonita is located right along the little waterway that the indoor ride is offered on. I chose it, thinking it would be a romantic setting for dinner.
Not only was it romantic, it was delicious. From the Mojito flight to the salmon I had, the experience made the night for me. My server mentioned that the watermelon mojito was his favorite, and I found it to be my favorite too because it was the most refreshing. I also would say not to sleep on the Coco Piña Cocktail, which seems to be similar to an iced piña colada that they serve in a shell. I suggest using a straw, otherwise your drink might end up half on the table like ours did.
5. Peppermill
Address: 2985 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 735-4177
This is where we went for a family dinner, and I enjoyed the retro diner feel of the place. I had a delicious salad, and I would say that the Sriracha Chicken Bites were beyond my expectations. It's the place to go if you're looking to cultivate a vibe.
Something that I would like to note though is that the service could've been better, at least when I went. We had a large party and knew that we should've made a reservation, and even though we showed up half an hour early, we ended up waiting for an hour and a half, with the staff consistently telling us, "It'll be another 5 minutes," or "It'll be another 15 minutes," for 45 minutes when we asked what the hold up was. I understand that places are understaffed because it's COVID times, but I think it was important for them to be honest about the situation instead of how things played out.
Sau's Favorite: The Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan
Address: 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (Inside The Cosmopolitan)
Phone: (702) 698-7000
We had intended on visiting this place on our second night in town, but we ended up having to walk past it and crying in our hotel room instead (literally, because I walked along the Vegas strip in heels and was very hungry by the end of the night). The reason is because we didn't know that the hotel closed on Friday and Saturday night unless you're a hotel guest or had a reservation at one of the restaurants inside. So we ended up going on Sunday night instead, and I think it was the perfect last taste of Vegas.
My boyfriend had wanted to go, because a coworker of his had recommended the Verbena, a cocktail experience like none other that I've had before. I'm not a huge fan of lemon or ginger, but the flavors are very subtle in this margarita cocktail. What really elevates this drink is that you're supposed to chew on the flower that garnishes the drink after you take a sip. The flower is a Sichuan flower, which then enhances your taste buds so that you have a drink experience like none other. The result is that I would've happily had 10 of these if I were allowed to.
Sadly, I didn't take photos of the Verbena cocktail or the Chandelier Bar, so instead enjoy one of my favorite photos that I took in Vegas.
What are some of your favorite food stops in Las Vegas? Have you had a food experience you can't forget? Is there a food or a drink you think you could have for the rest of your life? Tell me in the comments below!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my tasty experience. If you're hoping to read more experiences like this, please let me know by liking this post and subscribing to the blog so that you can get updates of when I release more content like this. Until next time, I hope you enjoy some tasty times.
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